Behind the Scenes of One of the World's Scariest Jobs
During the peak of the ski season, Philippa Jenkins spent a day with ski patrollers in the French Alps, in a year where avalanche risks have reached particularly severe levels. Ski patrollers are renowned for their cool demeanour and collective calm while performing a job that would terrify most people, especially this winter with some of the deadliest conditions on record.
Avalanche Death Toll Rises Across Europe
According to the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS), 124 people have died in avalanches across Europe so far this season. This figure exceeds the average annual toll of 100 fatalities from European snow slides. In the French Alps alone, the death count currently stands at 30, and we are only midway through the ski season.
What is the reality like for ski patrollers? Are they truly that cool, calm, and collected under such perilous conditions, and what does their job actually entail? As an enthusiastic skier, these are the curiosities I have always harboured about the individuals tasked with ensuring ski resort safety.
Joining the Patrol in Les Menuires
When outdoor brand Helly Hansen offered me the opportunity to experience this reality firsthand by skiing with the patrol team in Les Menuires—one of Helly Hansen's partner resorts—I eagerly accepted. Adding to the incentive, Helly Hansen ambassadors and professional free skiers Warren Smith and Aurelian Ducroz were also part of the group.
Several weeks later, at 7 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, we gathered at the base of a ski lift in Les Menuires, located in the Alps' crown jewel, the world's largest ski area: The Three Valleys. I ascended the mountain in the Pointe de la Masse gondola, France's fastest ski lift, alongside patroller and slope manager Gilles Roux-Mollard, 57, who has dedicated 37 years to this profession.
Early Starts and Avalanche Risks
Gilles explained how avalanche risk and snowfall dictate patrollers' start times—the more snow that has fallen, the earlier they must begin to secure the mountain before lifts open to the public. With no fresh snow overnight and a high avalanche risk persisting from heavy snowfall the previous week, most patrollers commenced their shifts at 8 a.m.
Les Menuires alone employs 53 patrollers, and their camaraderie is palpable. They all recognise that any day could present a life-or-death situation, and they stand united in their mission. Witnessing their incredible skill on the slopes as we trailed behind them during the morning sweeps on freshly groomed corduroy pistes was awe-inspiring. However, their profound knowledge of the mountain and deep respect for the environment proved most humbling.
Expert Kit and Canine Rescuers
As the day unfolded, we observed their reliance on expert equipment, all engineered and supplied by Helly Hansen. The brand outfits over 55,000 professionals worldwide, including across more than 200 ski resorts. Spotting an HH logo on the slopes now carries a deeper significance.
Our next stop involved watching ski patrol dogs undergo avalanche training in a designated area beside the piste. Three dogs, each owned by a separate patroller, successfully uncovered buried volunteers within minutes—a critical timeframe in avalanche rescues. Patrollers emphasised that 90% of victims survive if recovered within the first 15 minutes post-burial, provided no fatal injury occurs, but this survival rate plummets to just 30% after 30 minutes.
A trained ski patrol dog, aided by Recco tracking equipment, can search one hectare in approximately 30 minutes, a task that would take 20 humans roughly four hours. After the exercise, patrollers hoisted their dogs onto their shoulders and skied down the mountain at high speed, with the dogs comfortably perched around their necks. This practice not only prevents canine fatigue but also protects their paws from potential ski-related injuries.
Technological Advancements in Mountain Safety
Post-lunch, we learned how technology is revolutionising mountain safety. In 2020, Les Menuires became the world's first ski resort to deploy drones, transforming both inspection and rescue operations. Using a drone enables patrollers to reach accident scenes in under three minutes.
Head patroller Raphael Luzy detailed how drones survey the mountain, including ski lifts, and assist in remotely operating Gazex systems to trigger necessary avalanche explosions. This remarkable machine resides in a heated box atop the mountain and can be controlled by patrollers for both proactive and reactive tasks—an increasingly vital capability as more skiers venture off-piste and climate change complicates conditions.
Throughout a season, these patrollers respond to around 4,000 call-outs, underscoring the relentless demand for their expertise.
Closing Sweeps and Patroller Patience
As the day concluded, we sat in one of the patrollers' huts at the mountain's summit, awaiting the final 'sweeps'—when patrollers ensure everyone descends safely as lifts close. While warming up with hot lemon and ginger tea, patrollers seized the chance to share kit specification requests with a Helly Hansen design lead in our group. Such feedback allows details like pocket and zip placement to be precisely tailored to professional needs.
When asked how they handle resistance from skiers ignoring instructions, patrollers uniformly responded that they cannot force compliance. Raphael added, "We don't have much control other than explaining it is time to ski down; it's only sometimes that people don't listen."
Indeed, as we descended the Lac de Combes run at sunset, we paused as skiers and snowboarders snapped final selfies and plotted their routes down. The patrollers patiently ushered them onward, offering guidance on the safest paths.
Bravery and Dedication on the Slopes
The key takeaway from the day is not only the immense bravery and dedication of ski patrollers but also their kindness and patience in performing this vital job day in, day out. Next time you're on the slopes, remember to give the patrollers a wave—I have it on good authority that it ranks among the highlights of their day.
Philippa's trip was supported by Helly Hansen and the Les Menuires tourist board.
